Sydney Mead, 5, Madison

Sydney Mead, 5, Madison

Born with a rare genetic disease called Williams Syndrome, Sydney Mead had to have open heart surgery just days after birth. Two years later, she had to endure another heart surgery when Dr. Jorge Salazar performed a hybrid procedure to help her pulmonary arteries grow. He told her parents that she would soon start growing, get stronger, and start walking. She did indeed do all of these. While she must continue to see many pediatric specialists, this sweet girl always has a big smile on her face especially when listening to music, singing and enjoying her favorite instrument—the drums.

Friends of Children's Hospital is a nonprofit organization created to benefit Batson Children's Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It was created by a group of dedicated members from around the state whose purpose is to support and promote Mississippi's ONLY Children’s Hospital designed and equipped specifically for the care and treatment of sick and injured children.